Smaller URLs

“By entering in a URL in the text field below, we will create a tiny URL that will not break in email postings and never expires.”

Entering two URLs immediately after one another resulted in “http://tinyurl.com/h3r6” and “http://tinyurl.com/h3rj”, so they must just have a simple, two-column lookup table. I initially entered the same URL, but they must check for dupes because it generated the same TinyURL for both.

I worry about services like this because what happens if (when?) they go under? A whole lot of URLs around the Internet are going to start breaking. MakeAShorterLink.com does the same thing.

Deane Barker is a Founder and Consulting Analyst at Blend Interactive. Blend, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, helps institutions and agencies tackle complicated web and content problems.

Looking for a clear, unbiased view of web content management?Web Content Management: Systems, Features, and Best Practices explores the systems, technologies, and platforms within web content management, giving you the knowledge you need to solve the right problems.

I use these services all the time. They’re great when a URL posted in an email or newsgroup might break in half due to wrapping. If you’re concerned about the URL breaking down the line when these things go under, that’s legitimate, but it’s a reason not to use them on web pages. When I use them in emails or usenet, I usually post both the original, long URL and the shorter link. I don’t use them on web pages, as there really isn’t any reason.

R6K.NET allows you to create a short URL that can be effectively used instead of a long URL. Enter a long URL in the textbox below and click “Make Short URL!” to create a short URL. Once you create a short URL, you can not only access the URL you have shortened but almost any page in the site by appending the path after the short URL. R6K.NET is a free and easy way to block the referrer when a visitor clicks a link on your homepage, to prevent unauthorized parties from gathering your personal information and hide your affiliate URLs. It works with every browser.